Jack Milner: Sheela brings Grade 1 form into Race 3 at the Vaal on Thursday, a Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1000m.
With less than three weeks left in the season, jockey Lyle Hewitson is just coasting his way to a third jockeys’ championship title.
The talented 23-year-old is, at the time of writing, now 84 winners clear of defending champion Warren Kennedy, and has been untouchable in his chase for the title for the last few months.
In spite of that Hewitson has not lost his competitive edge and it is that determination that impels his success.
However, even Hewitson will admit to enjoying the odd armchair ride and that could well be the case at the Vaal tomorrow when he rides Sheela in Race 3, a Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1000m on the Classic track.
This is a case of Grade 1 and Grade 2 form taking on maiden winners this Mike and Adam Azzie-trained filly looks divisions better than her opposition.
Her debut run saw her victorious inn the Listed Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m at Turffontein and she followed that up with a victory in the Grade 2 SA Nursery over 1160m, where she beat the colts.
The Azzie’s then took her to Scottsville for the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m where she finished a 3.85-length third behind Ender Your Spell, only tiring late.
By way of contrast, the other three winners in the field have only just won their maidens. Both Aunty Lizzie and Aurora Light won on debut so there has to be room for improvement, but they will only be getting 2kg from Sheela and that is unlikely to be enough.
The unofficial merit ratings tell the story. Sheela is rated 107, Aurora Light 83, Aunty Lizzie 81 and on Cue, the only other winner in the field is at 80.
As a result, this should be the proverbial armchair ride for Hewitson. It would be quite a shock should Sheela be defeated but then again, we have seen many an electrocution in racing.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 8 Prairie Falcon, 4 High Flyby, 3 Golden Aspen, 1 Covermeinsunshine
Race 2: 1 Admiral Dooley, 6 King Arthur, 10 Secret Link, 2 Boleto
Race 3: 1 Sheela, 3 Aurora Light, 4 On Cue, 5 Stormy Lass
Race 4: 1 Dyce, 2 Master Archie, 4 Miss Magician, 7 Western View
Race 5: 7 Litigation, 1 Brenner Pass, 4 Light Warrior, 6 Leicester Fosse
Race 6: 2 Super Duper, 9 Tinder Dry, 6 Wonderful Rock, 5 Oceans Pride
Race 7: 1 Stop For Nothing, 3 Supreme Dance, 6 Waqaas, 2 Back To Black
Race 8: 4 Eskimo Pie, 2 Flying Bull, 3 Castle Corner, 7 Harrys Secret
BEST BET
Race 3 No 1 Sheela
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 4 Eskimo Pie
BEST SWINGER
Race 5 1×7
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 3, 4, 8
Leg 2: 1, 6
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4
Leg 5: 1, 7
Leg 6: 2, 5, 6, 9
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 1, 6
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1, 2
Leg 4: 1, 7
Leg 5: 2, 6, 9
Leg 6: 1, 3, 6
Leg 7: 2, 3, 4
PICK 6
R540
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4
Leg 3: 1, 7
Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4
JACKPOT 1
R180
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4
Leg 2: 1, 7
Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8
JACKPOT 2
R180
Leg 1: 1, 7
Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4